Consignment Security Declaration

A common standard for CSD

The Consignment Security Declaration (CSD) provides regulators with an audit trail of how, when and by whom cargo has been secured along the supply chain. Its objective is to meet ICAO requirements, ensuring that each consignment received by an aircraft operator or a regulated agent comes with documentation, either on the air waybill or on a separate declaration.

To avoid a plethora of different security declarations, IATA - in cooperation with the industry and regulators - developed a standard CSD.

Electronic CSD (e-CSD)

The e-CSD allows operators to exchange and archive security information electronically to warrant that only secure cargo is shipped. The e-CSD can be audited by regulators at any point in the supply-chain and printed from electronic records.

Several countries now support officially the e-CSD:

Germany

The Federal Aviation Office (LBA) issued a communication on 23 October 2013 confirming that Germany officially accepts the e-CSD and CSD layout. The LBA clarified that when using the electronic procedure it must be ensured that federal inspectors have access at a short notice to the e-CSD or the CSD layout upon request.

South Africa

After a e-CSD audit trial in September 2013, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) agreed that freight forwarders, carriers and ground handling agents could implement the e-CSD in addition to the CSD paper layout.

Switzerland

On 3 October 2013, the Swiss Civil Aviation Authority (FOCA) informed the air cargo industry that they can now implement e-CSD and its layout as defined in the latest ICAO Aviation Security Manual (Doc 8973, Eight Edition, Amendment 1).

Standard CSD layout

In July 2013, the CSD layout and its completion instructions were incorporated into the ICAO Aviation Security Manual, which will assist the global roll out of the e-CSD worldwide. Authorities that do not yet accept the e-CSD could accept the standard paper CSD layout. It can also be used in countries where an electronic transmission of security information is not yet possible.

The standard paper CSD layout is:

Compliant with required security information

Acceptable to regulators internationally

Applicable for direct and consolidation shipments

Useable for all regulated agents (at house & master)

Able to include ad-hoc country textual statements e.g. emergency amendments